Friday, February 12, 2016

Flying

First class. Our only experience with the first class cabin
has been in the past, walking past folks sipping champagne in lay-flat seats,
while we were being herded toward 12 hours of attempts to get comfortable in an
upright position while sipping tiny plastic cups of juice and avoiding your
neighbors’ elbows. Until this flight.

When the airline staff called us to the podium today, just
minutes before boarding, they told us we had been upgraded…and they couldn’t
have given that gift to more grateful recipients. Trailmix and homemade energy
bars stayed tucked in our bags while Alex and Monte dined on pan seared ribeye
filet (finished with savory sriracha butter and served with cedar plank roasted
vegetables), following a starter of Chinese scallops and vegetable soup and a
spinach and arugula salad with roasted pears, spiced pecans and pomegranate
seeds. Afterward, Monte pointed out the massage functions and iPod ports of our
seats and explored a playlist of movies spanning the Avengers to Tolkien (and
about 75 titles in between). Then Alex and I lay horizontal (reread that word:
horizontal), and wearing matching plane-issued slippers, stretched long legs
under plush comforters – and slept.

One of the most difficult parts about the final leg of this
adoption journey is that when this little person enters your world, they are
often finding a sleep-deprived shell of you. And, so often in the past, my
ability to cope well with the itinerary and emotions of the coming days is
shaped by those missing hours of sleep. I am typing this now from my seat in
first class. I am comfortable and rested. This tremendous gift is not lost on
me or the grinning, long-limbed man that I love beside me. The son we will meet
this week is waiting in Beijing, having just celebrated yet another birthday
without his forever family. Leaving four of my children behind this morning was
incredibly difficult, and I know that the days ahead will be
contain tremendous emotional upheaval for us. But, I am facing those days with the
freshness that only several hours of sleep and a lemon-scented hot cloth can
offer. And my boys are pretty thankful for the menu’s promise of French onion
quiche and chicken-apple sausage for breakfast before we land.

We have been given so many gifts along this journey. Truly,
there are too many folks to count – and many of them anonymous – that have
given generously and sacrificially to bring Milo home. We are humbled and so
blessed as we recount the stories of the ways so many have cheered for us,
meeting needs along the way. Today though, was the first time we have been
given the gift of sleep. God is gracious.

Such a wonderful start to your trip! And here I was feeling sorry for the weary travelers that had multiple uncomfortable hours ahead of them when I went to bed last night. So glad to wake up to a much nicer reality :). Can't wait to follow along with the rest of your adventure!Love,Auntie Erika (for all of us)PS We got to hear all about what the boys are eating, but it sounds like they forgot to feed you Riann ;)

This is fabulous Ri!!! God's favor upon you and reminder to you that HE SEES you, is pleased with you, and is going on ahead of you!! Abundant provision! Jesus, please continue to "wow" these sweet Friends!!Amy T.